Troops of the Nigerian Army, working with operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have arrested three suspected drug peddlers allegedly supplying illicit substances to terrorists and other criminal elements in Katsina State.

A post shared on X by security analyst Zagazola Makama said the suspects were apprehended during a joint operation carried out at about 5:15 p.m. on Tuesday in Kagara village, Kafur Local Government Area of the state.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation was conducted by troops of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Malumfashi deployed at Kafur alongside personnel of the NDLEA Area Command, Malumfashi.

According to the sources, the operation targeted suspected drug distribution points in the community as part of efforts to disrupt the supply of illicit substances to criminal groups operating in the area.

The sources identified the suspects as Mohammed Lawan, 34; Muhawiya Haruna, 40; and Junadata Usman, 40.

Items recovered from the suspects included substances suspected to be cannabis sativa, quantities of tramadol capsules, pregabalin, diazepam, Extol-5 tablets, rubber solution and “Suck and Die” spirit.

“The sources said preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects were allegedly involved in supplying hard drugs and other intoxicating substances to terrorists and criminal elements operating within Kafur and neighbouring communities,” Makama said.  

Following their arrest, the suspects and the recovered exhibits were handed over to the NDLEA Area Command in Malumfashi for further investigation and possible prosecution.

The operation, according to the sources, forms part of ongoing efforts by security agencies to dismantle the logistics and supply networks supporting terrorism and other criminal activities across Katsina State.

Osun State Police Command has intensified investigations into the killing of a 19-year-old resident of Ijebu-Jesa, Timileyin Oni, and the shooting of three others in the town.

The command also stated that no arrests have been made while its anti-cultism operatives continued efforts to identify those responsible.

The incident, which occurred late on Monday at T&K Junction in Ijebu-Jesa, has also sparked an exchange of accusations between the ruling Accord and the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, with both sides disputing the circumstances surrounding the attack.

Confirming the development on Tuesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said officers responded to reports of gunfire at about 11 p.m. and found the victim lying motionless at the scene.

According to Ojelabi, “the victim was taken to hospital where doctors confirmed him dead, while an examination revealed what was suspected to be a gunshot wound to the head before his body was deposited in the mortuary and his family informed.”

He disclosed that three other victims sustained injuries during the attack and are currently receiving treatment, adding that detectives have commenced investigations into the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

“The incident happened around 11 pm on Monday. We received a report that there was a shooting at the T&K Junction in Ijebu-Jesa, and the police mobilised to the scene,” Ojelabi said.

The police spokesman explained that information provided by the deceased’s father indicated that Timileyin Oni was returning from church when he was attacked, while preliminary findings suggested the incident might be linked to cult activities.

“There was a warning issued by the police yesterday against celebrating 7/7 by cultists, and from all indications, it is cult-related. No arrest has been made as we speak, but the anti-cultism unit has been drafted to the area,” Ojelabi added.

Meanwhile, the incident generated political reactions after the spokesperson for the Imole Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, alleged in a social media post that armed thugs carried out the attack and blamed members of the APC.

Olajengbesi wrote, “How many people will be killed because of politics and power? Armed thugs drove into Ijebu-Jesa and started firing sporadically. An innocent young man has been killed, four others have been injured, and the entire town has been thrown into panic.

“This is a stain on our democracy and a shame on Nigeria as a nation. Shame on those who believe that the path to power must be paved with the blood of innocent people. This page doesn’t support violence.”

However, the Chairman of Oriade Local Government, Olubunmi Obeisun, rejected the allegations in a statement issued through his media aide, Olayinka Awoyemi, insisting there was no evidence linking the APC to the attack.

Obeisun cited an account by one of the injured survivors, Oginni Olamide Oluwole, who reportedly told authorities that he and others had stopped to buy sachet water while heading to church before two men on motorcycles allegedly opened fire on them.

According to the statement, the survivor said the victims ran into a nearby shop in an attempt to escape, but one of the gunmen allegedly pursued them and continued shooting, resulting in Timileyin Oni’s death and injuries to others, including Olamide, who reportedly sustained a gunshot wound to his hand.

The local government chairman maintained that the survivor identified himself as a committed APC member and stated that the attackers were not members of the party, while police investigations into the killing and the identities of the gunmen remain ongoing.

Akwa Ibom State High court sitting in Uyo, on Tuesday, sentenced one Micheal Effiong Japhet, a commercial motorcycle rider to life imprisonment for raping a married woman and nursing mother in Uyo.

Japhet was convicted and sentenced by Hon. Justice Archibong Archibong, after finding him guilty of rape and stealing punishable under the Criminal Code Laws of Akwa Ibom State, 2000.

The facts of the matter revealed that the nursing mother, who also sells fruits, boarded the motorcyclist at close of the day’s business from Ikom Iman Junction to her home at Ikot Ofon on February 23, 2015.

Unfortunately, the rider, instead of following the normal route, diverted to a bush track with the claims that he ran out of fuel. 

The convict, it was also gathered, brought a knife, threatening to stab the victim while stealing her purse containing N7000 and a China Nokia phone.

He afterwards, forcefully had a canal knowledge of the woman despite her pleas that she is a nursing mother and married woman. 

The victim, it was further revealed while on her way to her place of business spotted the convict and alerted her husband, who quickly arrived the scene, recovered the wife’s phone and ensured he was handed over to the police.

In his ruling, the judge, Justice Archibong Archibong, sentenced Japhet to life imprisonment for rape and three years’ imprisonment for stealing.